Cyrus Streamline series
User Instructions
3
How does the Streamline work?
The Streamline joins your computer network in the same way that a
computer or other networked device would.
Playing music from a network
Once connected to your network, the Streamline will identify music
libraries present on your network, catalogue the music found in those
libraries, and present the library content in a choice of easily searchable
categories.
The n-remote
The n-remote communicates with the Streamline via a 2-way radio link
and displays the status of the Streamline, whether you are browsing a
music library or changing settings. From the comfort of your chair you
can choose a category to search your music, browse that category, and
then play your selection.
Will a Streamline connect to a Cyrus audio system?
The Streamline may be used ‘stand-alone’ connected directly to a pair of
loudspeakers or can be connected to the analogue or digital inputs of a
Cyrus amplifier, DAC or AV processor.
Music libraries
Audophile systems have progressed over the years from shelves of fragile
vinyl records or magnetic tape to racks of compact discs, played without
any physical contact.
Perfect sound forever? Perhaps, but for a serious audiophile a large
collection of CDs still occupies a large space in a room, usually in the
listening room itself. Cataloguing the CDs can be a chore and remembering
which album your favourite tracks are on can be quite a challenge in a
large collection of CDs.
The Cyrus Streamline answers all of these problems, by using computer
hardware to take the music content from your discs and store the entire
collection in a music library on a hard-drive that occupies little more
space than a few CDs.
Setting up a network music library
Choosing a file format for your library
Hard drive size was once a limitation for storage of a high quality,
uncompressed music library. This is no longer the case as high capacity
hard-drives are now affordable, and multiple drives are also an option.
Lossless formats are also now available, offering the quality of
uncompressed files, but with a useful saving of around 40% of the file
size.
If you already have an existing library of uncompressed WAV or AIFF files
ripped from CD, then this will deliver the highest quality when played
through the Streamline.
If you have an existing library that includes MP3, WMA, AAC or other
compressed format files, you may want to consider creating a new library
of uncompressed or lossless files from your CD collection, Although the
Streamline is compatible with compressed files, the compression used
by these formats to pack the files into a small space removes essential
information from the music that cannot be replaced on replay.
The same recommendation applies if you are setting up a new music
library for use with your Streamline. In a new library, uncompressed files
carry the highest recommendation.
Mixing formats
The Streamline will decode most music file types, so it is quite acceptable
to retain an existing library of compressed format files, rip new music
entries to uncompressed or lossless files and replace the compressed
files as time permits.
The Streamline can also browse multiple libraries, so you may prefer to
retain a library of compressed files for portable audio etc., and set up a
new library of uncompressed or lossless music for the Streamline.
Buying music on-line
There are currently few sources on-line for the purchase of high quality
uncompressed or lossless files. To achieve the best quality for your music
library, rip your music from CD to uncompressed or lossless files.
Further advice on setting up a library
A good retailer can advise on setting up a library of music files for use
with the Streamline.
